Floaty, effortless, comfortable dress styles your spring wardrobe will thank you for.
Dresses, dresses, dresses. With an abundance of styles dropping into the ‘new in’ sections online, it can become a bit of a minefield. Do you opt for a gingham checked dress you’ll want to wear to every upcoming park picnic? A prairie style that’ll bring all the summer vibes or an out of this world star print dress? The fact is, no matter which colour, print or style you opt for, sometimes it’s all be about comfort first. From embroidered smocking to stretchy shirred details and gathered necklines, hems or sleeves, it’s all about having the eye for a great (read: comfortable) style that looks and feels great.
Throw-on anytime dresses are what we’re all on the hunt for right now, and you can stop your search thanks to these comfortable, floaty styles that are everywhere for the new season. So much so, the Stylist fashion team had to a hard job narrowing the edit down to just 12 styles they think have instant sell-out power.
Style influencer Zeena (found at @heartzeena) demonstrates the effortless vibe with a floral dress from sustainable brand Damson Madder. Showing how a floaty dress with gathered detail is the ideal daytime dress, we’ve of course added this beauty to our edit below, along with 11 other comfy dresses that are set to be big news for spring.
Taking the stress out of getting dressed, let the ‘throw on anytime’ dress become your best buy to wear on repeat.
Shop best comfortable spring dresses
Omnes dress
Best smocked dresses: Omnes Not that you would ever get rid of this dream dress once you own it, but if you do, it’s made with recycling in mind as the cotton is biodegradable. Sustainable brand Omnes is a go-to for mindful pieces that also look incredible.
Great Plains dress
Best smocked dresses: Great Plains Yes, yes and yes to this blue beauty from Great Plains. Imagine it on a warm summers day with nothing but flip flops and a big straw bag carrying your picnic contents.
Damson Madder dress
Best smocked dresses: Damson Madder Made from organic cotton, you can get Zeena’s dreamy Damson Madder dress at Anthropologie. The puff sleeves, tie back and square neckline are bringing all the prairie dress vibes.
New Look dress
Best smocked dresses: New Look Gingham dresses scream spring and this tie-strap style from New Look is a good way to try out the trend. Picnic-perfect, you’ll want to wear this for every outdoor plan.H&M dress
Best smocked dresses: H&M Smocked dresses don’t always have to be big and billowy, instead you can get the look with a more fitted style with gathered sleeves. The LBD never fails in the outfit department.
Reformation dress
Best smocked dresses: Reformation Step closer to summer with this linen frock in a gorgeous green shade. The square neckline and puffed sleeves means you’ll tick off multiple trends in one.
Lug Von Siga dress
Best smocked dresses: Lug Von Siga Imagine turning up to a garden gathering in this wow dress. One of spring/summer’s finest, we guarantee you’ll find so many occasions to wear this in the future.
Great Plains dress
Best smocked dresses: Great Plains Bring tropical beach vibes to the UK with this printed maxi dress that’s made for swishing around in the summer. All you’ll need is strappy sandals to complete the look.
Ambercrombie & Fitch dress
Best smocked dresses: Abercrombie & Fitch Ready to get your legs out? This season’s mini dress offerings are some of the best yet. Try out this puff sleeved style with trainers for day and heeled mules for summer soirées.
Sleeper dress
Best smocked dresses: Sleeper The destination for great smock dresses each and every season, Sleeper has created summer’s hero style. Keep it sleek with tonal accessories and delicate golden jewels.
Fashion Union Plus dress
Best smocked dresses: Fashion Union Plus A floral dress for spring may not be anything new, but if it isn’t broke, why change it? This citrus shade dress will make you feel summery no matter the weather forecast.
Simply Be dress
Best smocked dresses: Simply Be Everything about this star print dress is made to be flattering: from the shirred detail and dropped waist to the midi length. Keep it casual with clean white kicks or dress it up with bright heeled sandals for future outings.
Shop green star print shirred midi dress at Simply Be, £26 (previously £35)
Images: Heartzeena
Other images: courtesy of brands